Reticulated liquid treatment devices with electric power source

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices for treating liquids, and methods for treating liquids, particularly by using such devices. Reticulated electrode structures with a high proportion of surface area to volume are formed with at least two metals, and are coupled in arrays to an electrical driving signal such as an alternating and/or direct current voltage source, for ion exchange with a liquid to be treated, to produce, e.g., potable water.

1 . A device for removing biological materials from liquids to produce process and potable water, said device comprising at least three metals, said metals having reticulated disc-shaped structures stacked in a non-alternating arrangement, wherein said reticulated structures are coupled to an electrical driving signal for ion exchange, electron transfer or electro-catalysis to remove said biological materials from said liquids. 
     
     
         2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the metals are in the form of an alloy. 
     
     
         3 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical driving signal is an alternating current or a direct current voltage source. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate having said reticulated structures, wherein said metals are disposed upon said substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said substrate comprises a non-metallic material. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, polymers and composite materials. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said substrate comprises a metal. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least two of said metals are selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, platinum, magnesium, aluminum, activated alumina, zinc, tin, titanium, silver and palladium. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said metals comprise copper, zinc and silver. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said biological materials are selected from the group consisting of bacteria, protozoans, viruses and algae. 
     
     
         11 . A method for removing biological materials from liquids to produce process and potable water, which comprises contacting said liquids with a device containing at least three metals, said metals having reticulated disc-shaped structures stacked in a non-alternating arrangement, wherein said reticulated structures are coupled to an electrical driving signal for ion exchange, electron transfer or electro-catalysis to remove said biological materials from said liquids. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the metals are in the form of an alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the electrical driving signal is an alternating current or a direct current voltage source. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising a substrate having said reticulated structures, wherein said metals are disposed upon said substrate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said substrate comprises a non-metallic material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, polymers and composite materials. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said substrate comprises a metal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein at least two of said metals are selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, platinum, magnesium, aluminum, activated alumina, zinc, tin, titanium, silver and palladium. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said metals comprise copper, zinc and silver. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said biological materials are selected from the group consisting of bacteria, protozoans, viruses and algae.